FRIENDS

Die Linien des Lebens sind verschieden
Wie Wege sind, und wie der Berge Gränzen.
Was hier wir sind, kann dort ein Gott ergänzen
Mit Harmonien und ewigem Lohn und Frieden.

Hölderlin

È venuto come ladro ed è rimasto come cane

©2023 Martin Frank

'Gli dei sono terribili quando si rivelano'
(χαλεποὶ δὲ θεοὶ φαίνεσθαι ἐναργεῖς, Iliade 20.131).

For Julio Pastoriza and the Lausanne squatters

Persons

Man!

When Wasim's hand touched mine, my balls pumped testosterone into my brain, and my cock felt ready for action, but whom I wanted was Man:

"Till God will reckon us
Of love, the token is
The heart of the slave."

In case I would change my mind, Wasim wrote his name and address in clean, careful capitals on half a torn-out notebook page, and his e-mail address:

desertstud87@hotmail.com

Opening my eyes to cool off, I heard the sound of stones moving. Was it a snake? My mouth went dry. Had one of the camels gone astray? I sensed approaching steps and turned my head. In the light of the full moon, I discerned One Ruffian's white robe and the polished barrel of his carbine.

Make your Peace with God!

Two weeks of fever had weakened me, but feeling safe made me bold, and when Man followed me to piss in the dark, I asked him, "Should we fuck?"

"Of a young dromedary Excellency has made the purchase…" Man changed his voice into a grinning murmur, "Do you need riding lessons? Where is your baton?"